This is only the observation in an exploding universe, not in a stretching one. If space itself stretches, we plot the positions of galaxies in our current scale with Euclidean geometry by projecting where they would have been if space hadn't stretched. But if we plot back in time to a smaller universe, the galaxies were closer to each other back then.
Written by Rex Kerr
One who rejoices when everything is made as simple as possible, but no simpler. Sayer of things that may be wrong, but not so bad that they're not even wrong.